Action Plan Ensure Art Stays in Central Milton Keynes

Published: Tuesday, 17 February, 2009

As the enabling works for the £10million development of the restaurant quarter at Queens Court get underway, thecentre:mk has embarked on a comprehensive public art action plan, which will ensure that the six pieces of public art in Queens Court will be carefully removed, stored, reinstated or relocated within Central Milton Keynes. thecentre:mk has worked in conjunction with the Council, the artists and the owners of the shopping building to agree the public art action plan and specialist contractor C-ART has been employed to deliver the plan.

Robert Goodman, Centre Director, comments: ‘To be starting the preliminary works on Queens Court is very exciting. The centre of Milton Keynes needs to increase its high-quality restaurant offer if Milton Keynes is to maintain its attractiveness as a regional shopping destination and develop a thriving evening economy in the city.

‘We are proud of the public art in the centre and are very keen that as much of the art as possible stays within the shopping building. We have worked closely with the artists to find suitable locations for the art and are looking forward to unveiling them in their new spots in the near future.

‘This project will also create construction jobs in Milton Keynes at a time when this market is under pressure; our contractors Miller Construction have are hoping to create up to 60 jobs.’

ART INFO

Vox Pop, the group of larger than life bronze figures by John Clinch (1988), will remain the central art work in the redeveloped Queens Court and will be reinstated in the south eastern corner of the Court after the redevelopment of the space is completed. Vox Pop will be relocated in plenty of space to ensure the continued interaction and enjoyment of the piece by the public.

Christine Clinch said of the relocation of the Vox Pop ‘I am very pleased that the sculpture will be brought back to Queens Court, where I know it is very popular.’

The three Philomena Davidson statues are to be resited north of within the foliage of Silbury Arcade. Philomena Davidson has approved the new locations for the three figures and will advise on the orientation of each figure as they are relocated.

The sundial and associated bollards are collectively too large for the reconfigured space and therefore the shopping centre is currently exploring opportunities to provide an alternative home for the piece within Central Milton Keynes at a location which can provide a location with enough space and natural light for the pieces to fulfil their originally intended purpose.

The Mosaic, which currently hangs on the wall in the sheltered arcade in Queens Court, dates from the 4th Century and is from the ancient Bancroft Roman Villa site. The Mosaic will also remain in the shopping building, relocated to a site in close proximity to the Discover Milton Keynes shop unit.

thecentre:mk is a regional shopping centre situated in the heart of Milton Keynes. With over 240 stores, cafes and restaurants all under one roof, it is anchored by John Lewis, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer and Next. As the premier shopping destination in the region between London and Birmingham, Cambridge and Oxford, thecentre:mk enjoys around 30 million visits every year and is unrivalled in its customer service. Included in the overall proposition are civic spaces and events venues; City Square, Queens Court and Middleton Hall which offer a varied programme of free events throughout the year, including bridal shows, fashion events, motor shows and the award winning Christmas display. The CACI Retail Footprint Report 2005 ranked thecentre:mk as the Number One Town Centre Shopping Centre in the UK.